Published October 10, 2019 12:00AM
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The Best Tailgating Gear of 2020
Everything you need to host a hungry crew at the end of the day
(Photo: Inga Hendrickson)
Tincup Whiskey ($50)
For less than the cost of a meal at the resort, you get a great sipping liquor with boldness and spice. Mix with water, lemon, and honey for a hot toddy around the bonfire.
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Yeti LoadOut GoBox 30 ($250)
With a handy divider, removable tray, and zippered pouch in the lid, Yeti’s GoBox makes it easy to organize your kitchen supplies. Spices, spatulas, cutting boards, pans, and everything else has a secure spot within arm’s reach.
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PK Go Grill ($350)
Fact: food tastes better when it’s cooked over a wood or charcoal fire. And mobile grilling is easier than ever, thanks to the aluminum and stainless-steel PK Go. Four vents help you cook up moist burgers and veggies with a perfect char.
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Stanley XXL Classic Thermos ($50)
Need a jolt of caffeine after an action-packed day? You’ll want this 2.4-liter double-walled vessel. It spent six hours in a freezing car and our coffee was still warm.
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Orvis Comfortfill Wraparound Dog Bed ($98 and up)
Your pal deserves a relaxing spot, too. The firm, fleece-lined Wraparound cups a pup’s back while offering chin support, facilitating imploring stares as dinnertime approaches.
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Tenalach Night and Day Beanbag Toss ($180)
Light-up cornhole! Each aluminum board and beanbag has embedded LEDs, so you know where to throw after sundown. Yes, the set’s expensive, but the extra play time (and last-for-years durability) is worth it.
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JLab Crasher XL Splashproof Bluetooth Speaker ($100)
A tailgate’s never as good without tunes. The Crasher is easy to stash in your rig and pumps enough bass-rich sound to fill your corner of the parking lot. It’s also water-resistant and has a metal skeleton, so you needn’t fret when it gets knocked into the slush.
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Sierra Nevada Otra Vez Beer ($10 for a six-pack)
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Otra Vez is our favorite way to toast a long day shredding pow. Lime and agave nectar create a tart gose with tons of flavor. And it pairs well with that steak you’ve got sizzling on the grill.
OtterBox Trooper 20 Cooler ($250)
Even in winter, you want to keep food and beer on ice. Opt for this 20-quart, soft-sided chiller, which fits a six-pack alongside those burgers, brats, and veggies. Feel free to plunk it down in hard snow—the Trooper is plenty burly. Also included: a bottle opener and an easy-to-use, click-open lid.
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Lance 650 Truck Camper ($24,867 and up)
Want to camp out in the lot, ski all day, then tailgate into the night? There’s no better home base than the 650. Nearly all the amenities of home—kitchen, bed, toilet, shower, heater, table—pack neatly into a roomy camper that fits onto a full-size short-bed truck. Even with water and supplies, the 650 weighs only about 2,000 pounds. Spread out the optional ten-foot awning ($1,153), fire up the grill, and turn on the exterior LEDs as the sun goes down. The Lance slides easily off your truck when less ambitious missions beckon.
